Rural sanitation and wastewater management vital for South Africa

Across the world, over two billion people lack access to basic sanitation, and at least a quarter of those practice open defecation. This problem is very acutely a rural one: according to Unesco, 91% of open defecation and 72% of people without basic sanitation are in rural areas. By Chetan Mistry, strategy and marketing manager

for Xylem Africa

A2020 paper from Walter Sisulu University notes the connection between rural sanitation and overall social progress in a country. Rural and urban areas are interlinked. Here are some examples of how better rural sanitation and wastewater management could have a positive impact on the entire country.

It can address the past South Africa’s colonial past has left a lasting impact on rural development. The majority of water and sanitation infrastructure reaches a minority of people outside urban centres. South Africa’s water supply and sanitation policy notes that water and sanitation issues are linked to housing, migration, land, social progress and national development. Addressing rural water and sanitation challenges is a potent way to exorcise the ghosts of historic segregation.

It makes women and children safer Women, children and the elderly dominate rural populations. Many rural communities draw water from undeveloped local sources, creating ample opportunities for crime and intercommunity conflict. Collecting water is also a tremendous time burden, reducing a community’s effectiveness. Addressing rural water issues is a direct win for women and children, making them safer and more productive.

It saves energy A lack of clean water forces rural communities to use a lot of electricity to boil water or source local wood, leading to more environmental problems such as erosion. Several studies show that the availability of developed water and sanitation sources, such as dams and wastewater treatment facilities, impacts the local usage of energy and natural resources in positive ways.

It's critical for education South Africa suffers from a scourge of pit toilets – by the last count, over 3 000 schools still have pit toilets. They are often filthy, smelly and unsafe for human use. Pit toilets are a problem in most underdeveloped communities, and headlines of children drowning in them are unfortunately not uncommon – nor are stories of people being attacked in these remote and unattractive sites. Students who feel unsafe and uncomfortable do not learn well. Solving such rural challenges will be a big win for education.

It improves tourism Many rural communities congregate around natural and undeveloped water resources. In their desperation to use those resources, which are often polluted by human activities, they engage in activities that devastate natural habitats that attract tourism. The practice of open defecation is also a deterrent for tourism activities. Yet if a community is equipped to access safe and clean water services, they also have reasons to protect the local environment and promote tourism activities.

It eases healthcare burdens The Covid-19 pandemic brought the fact that underdeveloped and rural communities do not have enough access to water for sanitation purposes into focus. Many share communal taps, creating spaces for disease to spread. In situations where wastewater management is lacking, contaminated water can pool to foster waterborne diseases such as cholera. Pit toilets also contaminate the surrounding soil. If we can resolve rural water issues, it would take a tremendous burden off healthcare systems.

It helps secure water in South Africa South Africa is a water-scarce country. There is a virtuous circle between good water access, wastewater management, and how much a community will care about those resources. If we help rural communities access water safely, we will ultimately reduce the burden on local water supplies.

According to the Environmental Performance Index, South Africa ranks 133 out of 180 for water and sanitation. This gap indicates a lot of potential we can exploit to make our country more inclusive and equal.

We may face many challenges, but let us not think those are for urban dwellers and that the rural areas will inevitably follow the lead of cities. It works both ways: raise the tide for rural areas, and we will see everyone benefit. Even just addressing rural water, wastewater management and sanitation can spark a positive movement for all South Africans.